Adjustable scaffold.



PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

J. E. ENGLAND. ADJUSTABLE SGAPFOLD. APPLICATION I'ILED JUNE 22, 1903.

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' UNITED STATES Patented August 25, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ADJ USTABLESCAFFOLD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,377, dated August 25, 1903.

Application filed June 22, 1903- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN E. ENGLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Greene and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Scafiolds, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a scaffold for use in constructing oil-tanks, 1o grain-olevators,water-towers, &c. which may be readily raised and lowered when desired and may be employed as a gage to determine the diameter of a structure.

Myinvention consists of a circular platform divided into radially adjustable segments supported ona central pole or mast and all simultaneously adjustable vertically by means of hoisting apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable scaifold embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the scaffold with the mast and some of the other parts omitted and with some parts broken away or in section in order to better illustrate other parts. Fig 3 is a bottom plan View of one of the segmental sections of the scalfold with some of the parts connected therewith. Fig. 4 shows a local section on the line 4. 4. of Fig 2.

The pole or mast A is preferably tubular and may be made with any desired number of sections. It is securely fastened to a base B, which may be anchored or otherwise socured to the ground. On the mast A is mounted a sleeve or collar 0, carrying asetscrew c,

by means of which the sleeve may be securely held when once raised to the desired elevation. To the sleeve 0 are secured radial arms D, which are preferably tubular and arranged at regular distances apart. Each arm is formed with a long screw-thread on its outer portion, which fits telescopically into a tubular extension E, that is rigidly secured to a platform-section F.

The annular platform is divided into a number of segments,(ten being shown,) each of which is adjustable radially independently of the others to a limited extent. The inner end of eachtube E has secured to it a crosspiece G, to which are attached the inner ends of two diagonal rods H, which are secured to the under side of the section F. Each arm Serial No. 162,627. (No model.)

therewith may be moved outward. Each section F preferably has its body portion f made of wood, to which is secured a metallic flange f, and each body portion has secured to opposite sides at one end plates K, which project from this end and are adapted to receive between them the adjoining end of the next platform-section in the series. By this arrangement the scafiold-sections may be adjusted independently of each other and are all connected by the plates K, so as to mutually support each other.

Some distance above the sleeve C is another sleeve L, provided with a series of laterally-projecting lugs Z, with which are pivotally connected downwardly-extendingdiagonal stay-rods M, each of which at its lower end is hinged to a sleeve N, supported and adapted to slide on the tube E. Each of the sleeves N is provided with a set-screw n, by means of which it may be securely fastened to the tube E. When the set-screws are loose, the tubes E may be moved radially through or relatively to the sleeves N; but after the sleeves E have been moved to the desired extent itis desirable that the sleeves should be securely fastened to the tubes. The sleeve L may be raised and lowered on the mast and may be secured when adjusted to the desired extent by a set-screw,l -o,r other securing device. and preferably supported thereby, is a collar 0, which surrounds the mast and has hinged to it the jib P of a crane, to the outer end of which is attached hoisting apparatus for the plates used in building the structure.

The same apparatus may be employed for raising other material or tools and implements for the use of the workmen.

The hauling-rope p is connected with a winch Q, secured to the mast near its lower end. The jib P has tackle R attached to it, and this tackle is also connected to the upper end of the mast A.- The hauling-rope 1" connects with a winch S near the lower end of the mast. By means of this mechanism the plates, 850., may be raised and carried to any desired point. The collar 0 is preferably Above the sleeve L,

made to turn around the mast, and thus carry the jib P to any part of the scaffold. Guyropes T, attached to the upper end of the mast, may be secured at their lower ends in any approved way.

- In order to raise and lower the platform, I mount pulleys U on the sleeve 0 and pulleys V in a frame at the top of the mast and attach ropes 'v to the frame of the pulleys V and pass them under the pulleys U, over the pulleys V, and attach them to a winch W. By operating the winch the platform may be raised and lowered to the desired extent and when in proper position may be made fast to the mast by the set-screws c and Z or other suitable fastening devices.

When commencing to build an oil-tank, water-tower, or other similar circular structures,- the platform is lowered to near the lower end of the mast. The sections F are adjusted to the desired extent radially against the structure already completed or in process of construction. The flanges f of the'section are made to bear against the structure, and the proper curved or circular form of the structure may be preserved, the sections acting as a gage. The'workmen can stand on the platform while they are engaged in the construction of a tower, and they can readily adjust the nuts I while on the platform. They can also raise and lower the platform while standing thereon by means of the winch W. The workmen can always tell when the platform presents a truly-circular periphery by observing whether the flanges f are arranged in a true circular line. The winches Q and 8' being located near the bottom of the mast, the workmen at the bottom of the structure can readily supply the workmen on the platform with whatever is needed by means of the crane.

I claim as my invention-- 1 An adjustable scafiold comprising an annular platform composed of independent, radially-adjustable segments, and means for raising and lowering the platform.

2. Thecombination of the annular platform comprising independentlyadjustable segments, stay-rods for the segments and means for raising and lowering the platform and stay-rods.

3. The combination of a central mast, an

annular platform surrounding it composed of independently-adjustable segments, a sleeve on the mast,arms projecting therefrom,means for adjusting the segments relatively to the arms, another sleeve above that first mentioned, stay-rods attached to this sleeve and also connected with the platform-segments, and meansfor raising and lowering theplatform. I

4. The combination of a mast, an annular platform surrounding it composed of independently-adjustable segments, a sleeve on the mast, radial arms projecting therefrom, which are screw-threaded at their outer ends, a tube connected with each section into which the screw-threaded end of an arm projects, a not carried by said arm and bearing against the inner end of said tube, and means for raising and lowering the platform.

5. The combination of a mast, an annular platform surrounding it composed of independently-adjustable segments, a sleeve on the mast having radially-projecting arms, which are screw-threaded at their outer ends, tubes secured to the sections of the platform and telescoping with the screw-threaded portions of the radial arms, cross-pieces attached to said tubes, rods attached to the crosspieces and to the platform-sections, nuts carried by the radial arms and bearing against the inner ends of the tubes, and means for raising and lowering the platform.

6. The combination of a mast, an annular platform surrounding it composed of a num ber of independent, radially-adjustable segments, plates attached to each segment and overlapping the adjoining end of the next segment in the series, and means for adjusting the segments radially relatively to the mast. I

7. The combination of a mast, an annular platform surrounding it composed of independent, radially adjustable segments, a crane supported on the mast and vertically adjustable thereon, and means for raising and lowering the platform and frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

Witnesses:

ERNEST PERRYMAN, WILL B. FAIRMAN.

JOHN ENGLAND. 

